truck size & weight reform darrin roth director of highway operations american trucking...
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Truck Size & Weight Reform
Darrin RothDirector of Highway Operations American Trucking Associations
AASHTO Highway Transport Subcommittee
June 8, 2010
Size and Weight Reform is Necessary
Improved safety through lower VMT, operation of safer vehicles and shift to higher-class roads
Lower energy use and emissions
Meet customer demands for low-cost, efficient service
Insufficient infrastructure capacity to meet current or future freight needs
Environmental Requirements = More Empty Weight
APU – 400 lbsFederal weight exemption
2002 engines – approx. 338 lbs2007 engines – approx. 275 lbs2010 engines – up to 500 lbs
TOTAL = 1,500+ lbs
Regulations are OutdatedSome Interstate weight limits frozen in time for more than 50 yearsNo broad-based federal weight increase in 36 years
73,280 lbs to 80,000 lbs in 1974
Interstate Highway weight limits increased 9% in 50 years despite more people and goods
410% GDP growth76% population growth
5-axle tractor- semitrailers
Denmark 96,800 lbsMexico 96,800 lbsSouth Africa 95,700 lbsEurope 88,000 lbsCanada 86,900 lbsUS 80,000 lbs
South Africa 108,460 lbsMexico 106,700 lbsDenmark 105,600 lbsCanada 102,300 lbsAustralia 100,100 lbsUK 96,800 lbsUS 80,000
lbs
6-axle tractor- semitrailers
Modernize Single Trailer Length
Increase minimum trailer length on National Network from 48’ to 53’
Cap trailer length on NN at 53’States currently allowing longer trailers grandfathered
LCV Uniformity/State Flexibility
Establish federal-state process whereby states can make changes to LCV regulationsEstablish appropriate safety controls - driver, vehicle, routeMaintain existing federal axle and bridge formula regulations for new operations to protect infrastructure
Double 33’ Trailers
Recommended by TRB Special Report 267
Two trailers up to 33’ each
Weight limited by existing bridge formula and axle weights - approx. 111,000 lbs GVW
Five-axle Truck Weight Increase
Maintain current federal axle weight and bridge formula limits, but eliminate the 80,000 lbs GVW cap STAA doubles and singlesMaximum 86,000 lbs based on bridge formula and axle weight limits
Kingpin setting requirements could limit increase
Six-axle Truck Weight Increase
Single trailer only
Max. GVW of 97,000 lbs
Require a tridem axle limited to 51,000 lbs
Retain existing single and tandem axle limits
H.R. 1799
Autohauler 10% Weight Tolerance
At least 44% of passenger vehicles sold are minivans, pick-ups, SUVs
While larger vehicle sales are declining, sales of hybrids are increasing
Hybrids weigh several hundred pounds more than non-hybrid version of the same vehicle